Embracing the world
Samantha Miller – The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 7/3/07 Section: Metro
http://media.www.dailyiowan.com/
Thousands of barefoot people walked through the doorways of the Marriott Hotel conference room Monday, toward the song, lecture, and warm embrace of Amma, the “hugging saint.”
Guru Mata Amritanandamayi, or Amma – meaning “Mother” – as she is affectionately called, has traveled the world delivering her message of love and self-believing, sealed with a hug.
“There is no guarantee for the next moment or for even the next breath,” she told the crowd. “We must make the best use of the present moment.”
Amma appeared in the hotel conference room twice on Monday, where she is scheduled to show again today, as part of her summer tour through the United States. She drew a crowd Monday of more than 1,000, said event organizer Toni Rubin.
As Amma entered through the large doorway and headed toward a stage inside the brightly adorned conference room, she passed thousands of empty shoes removed by those in the audience. She spent approximately three hours preaching and singing Hindu songs.
A large group flocked toward her as she entered. Amma’s own bare feet were washed and worshipped during a ceremony called “pada puja,” as conk shells bellowed, singing resounded, and some prayed.
In addition to their shoeless garb, a large portion of Amma’s followers were clad completely in white.
“[The white dress] is a sign of respect in this specific tradition,” said Melissa Ingram, a follower of Amma’s teachings for 14 years.
Those teachings differ from one’s typical guru, Ingram said, because Amma gives hugs as blessings.
“It’s great because you get a wonderful hug and blessing at the same time,” she said.
But before Amma administered the embraces on Monday evening, she preached to the crowd in Malayalam, the language of Kerala – her native state in India – which was translated for the audience into English.
She emphasized the internal struggles and strife all people go through, as well as the world’s troubles with war and terrorism.
Amma said that before such issues can be resolved, people must get to the root of the problem.
“[The root] is hate and loathing in the human mind,” she said. “War will go on as long as this exists.”
After speaking and singing for nearly three hours, Amma began to embrace individuals within the crowd – the evening’s main attraction.
The line for Amma’s hugs stretched from the back of the conference room to the entrance. The guru greeted each person in the lengthy line with a wide smile before pulling each into a tight squeeze.
Smiles, laughter, and even tears met Amma’s embrace.
Martin Ouseley came to the assembly not knowing what to expect, but he had heard good things about Amma and wanted to experience her presence.
“[The hug] was really nice,” he said.
All those hugged Monday joined more than 20 million others worldwide that Amma is said to have hugged.
E-mail DI reporter Samantha Miller at:
samantha-a-miller@uiowa.edu